The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-10-19
Obituary.


and y days
The deceased was born in Franklin coun-
", Pa and vas fiirss ye.irs ef age when his
laiher, Frederick Neff. moved TO Somerset
county. He lived in the vicinity OF thetown
of Somerset on farm in his boyisood days.
pursuit well calculated 10 bring out those
noble ard manly qualities which were 80
Characteristic Of him in his manhood days.
Leaving the country home he became a resi-
dent of Somerset and continued TO live in the
town until the time Of his death. covering a
I period of sixty or seventy years. He was not
only familiarity cunyersant with. but also
1 gave personal inspiration to many of the ear
/ iy enterprises of the place He was engaged
/ for number of years III the business ofmer-
/ ehandising having stores at different points
in the county as well as in Somerset He
/ also kept public house for many years, and
/ his well provided hosterly Is stiIl within the
} memory of many of the ecitizens of this coun-
I ". His popularity was such with the peo-
cate the preferment he wished, and it was
accorded him by increased maiorities
he was elected once to the office OF eoun-
ty treasurer, and discharged the duties
of the Office with fidelity He was afterward
elected TO the office of register and recorder,
and here the duties were performed with
neatness and dispatch He served as county
auditor for some years and was also commits
sioners' clerk for fourteen years, and fire.
quently in important matters performed the
duties of deputy sheriff of the county. He
took part in the construction of what was
known as the plank road, which passed
through the county. He served as admins
TRAITOR for thirty-two different estates. and it
would be impossible to approximate the
number Of wills he has written and the pub
lie sales ofwhieh he was clerk
He was also at one time first lieutenant of
the - Somerset Independent Blues, a mill
tary company commanded by Capt Aiexan-
dor Ogle Sr. He perhaps at one time had
more extensive acquaintance of the men Of
this county in their social and business rela-
tons than any other man in it His eqGable
temper and kindly disposition. as well as his
calm and impartial judgment well fitted
him to mediate between eontending parties
and through his practical wisdom and pru-
denoe frequently law suits Were prevented
and good viii and harmony restored between
neighbors and relatives In short, most
every one knew Jacob Neff. and very many
trusted III his integrity and fitness TO trans
act their important offices for them In his
social relations he was ever most thoughtful
and obliging. His neighbors bear uniform
testimony to his kind and obliging DISPOSE
ton. The noble and generous impulses ofa
man Of bis mould would not admit of any
thing else, and his home TO those who knew
him became the very synonym of hospitali-
ty. The hospitality of his home was not
confined alone 10 those who were able and
likely 10 reciprocate these favors, but to the
poor and unfortunate alike-those who were
dependent and helpless. This hospitable
and kindly spirit gave him strong hold on
the people of the community, and even of
the county, and if he had been simply self
seeking man, and used his popularity sim
ply and alone for personal preferment and
selfaggrandizement, other places Of honor.
trust and profit would have been at his dis
posal but the unselfish and charitable man
that he was, he lived to bless, and to become
a blessing to Others. He lived 10 be helpful,
and to bless and hence his character was not
only admired vile living, but his memory
viii be cherished for The righteous shall
be held in everlasting remembrance"
He was married in the year ls26 to Mary,
daughter of Mr.. George Flick, OF this coun-
ty, and they lived together in this sacred re-
latiOn over sixty years. His beloved wife
and help meet preceding him TO the eternal
world about six or seven months previous 10
his death There were born TO them two
sons and two daughters, Frederick and
George, Eliza and Mary Eliza departed this
life while yet quite young The Others are
still living and their loving sympathies and
watchful cares were a great solaee to him in
declining days, and they Will continue TO
carry with them the pleasing consciousness
that their loving ministries added much to
the comfort and happiness of the departing
days Of their parents.
The deceased was member of Trinity
Lutheran Church for more than ~ years
In the fall Of 1875 Just a short time before
his marriage he and his betrothed both made
public profession of faith in Christ They
each gave their love 70 Christ as well as to
each other. For number of years he was
an office bearer in the church and sometimes
attended the synodical meetings with bis
pastor AT his house the minister of the
sympathy and financial aid was needed. knew
they always had a friend in brother Nell.
and not only the ministers of his own de-
nomination. but of other churches as well.
found a welcome under his home He could
give very correct history ofthe Orgauiza-
ton Of many Of the churches Of the county.
and especially of the Lutheran churches-the
names Of the early ministers, and the order
of time in which they served the congrega-
tions, and, also the length of time which
they served the congregation and all these
and many other things were carefully kept
as a matter of record by him. and hence he
was capable OF giving valuable information
to those who were looking up the early his
tory OF the Lutheran church of Somerset
county. OF the early history Of his christian
life the writer Of this article knows but little
and consequently must be silent, but for the
last few years he had a most intimate ac-
quaintance with him and knew IL hoes,
his fears his spirit and .is life, and especial
~ were his last two years beautiful exem-
plification of growth in grace: his faith had
a sure anchor, and was abiding and his pa
.ience and humble spirit Christ-like Con
fined 10 his home. as he was, much Of the
time for the last year or more it was delight
ful TO minister to him; he seemed 10 feed
upon the'very words Of Divine truth. adding
strength 10 strength death did not meet him
unprepared He had his lamp trimmed and
burning waiting patiently and vet longing
for the coming OF the Bride-Groorn. and. at
last when the messenger came unheralded.
in the still and quiet hour of the night.
Father Neff called his daughters and son and
the family VINO had been 80 unremitting in
their ministries Of love TO him. and then
lifted up his hands, and in faltering accents.
said - ! am going up. up" and peacefully
fell asleep, to awake no more in this world.
but TO awake in that other and better world.
where he dwells forever in the perfect like
ness of Christ. Mark the upright; the end
of that man is peace